Lets see if this link will work. I dont think I am suppose to do this but here it is.....

http://trade1911.car-part.com/cgi-bin/tpSearch.cgi?userSearch=int&userPID=1911&iIV=3.2.0.59&iCN=jeremy@rjautosalvageinc.com&uID=rjas1tp&uPass=zv7%3F77&imsFullSpecification=2&userIMS=A&userInterchange=B%3EBEBN&userSide=&userDate=1982&userDate2=1982&dbModel=49.8.1.2&userModel=MB240&dbPart=400&dbSubPart=1&userPart=TRA&sessionID=978&userPreference=price&userZip=64843&userLat=36.7164&userLong=-94.3594&userPage=1&userLocation=usa

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2005 Accord Hybrid (Wifes)
1995 Subaru Impreza L AWD (Snow car)
1984 GMC Sierra 1500 (Mine)
1983 300CD Best $ I ever spent. (Mine)
1984 190D (sold and glad I did)
1983 300D (sold and wished I hadn't)

Hopefully the link wont ask you for a password. Potomac German and Rite-Way are both real good to deal with. If I can help any more, let me know.....

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2005 Accord Hybrid (Wifes)
1995 Subaru Impreza L AWD (Snow car)
1984 GMC Sierra 1500 (Mine)
1983 300CD Best $ I ever spent. (Mine)
1984 190D (sold and glad I did)
1983 300D (sold and wished I hadn't)

Well, sometimes, it's just easier to go with the flow.........alternatives are more difficult with a vehicle that won't move under it's own power.

The difficulty and knowledge is in the rebuild of the trans. The R & R is the easy part. Adam did the unit himself with the vehicle on jackstands.........he's 17 years old BTW.

All those contingencies are going to be added on regardless.


10K doesn't sound like much of a guarantee to me.

Brian, the way I see it the money is there. I want to be smart with this ins. payout, but reality is that if I hadn't been given an estimate by this mechanic then the check would have been cut for less (perhaps more reflective of the labor figures that you suggest).

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'82 240D, 215,000 +
Classic White, Regenbogen

I know. He's got it down to something like 2 hours, an extraordinary kid (no offense Adam).

I'm afraid cars are not my talent. I'm learning, and thoroughly enjoying some of the work. The satisfaction is super having done a job myself. However, getting to that point can be like a voluntary trip to the third ring of Hades!

Maybe with your guidance and encouragement I could do it. Think it'd be safe to drive 30 miles in first gear??

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'82 240D, 215,000 +
Classic White, Regenbogen

Clearly, you've already established a "relationship" with this mechanic and he's assisted in obtaining the amount you now hold in your hands.

So, the question of Sun Valley becomes, effectively, moot.

You'll have to choose between his rebuilder and the used unit, with the higher costs associated with both.

The decision comes down to the age of the used transmission and how long you intend to keep the vehicle. The worst scenario is to have to rebuild the transmission twice within the next five years.

BTW, "rebuilt" transmissions vary all over the map as to what exactly is done inside them. In reality, none of them are totally rebuilt. None of them will ever go the same distance as the original factory transmission.

Jeremy,

Awesome, thanks for the link. It's always good to know someone in the business. I'll look it over now.

T

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'82 240D, 215,000 +
Classic White, Regenbogen

You certainly can R & R the trans if you have a solid work surface (concrete) and are willing to do the job slowly over some weeks. Attempting to do it in one day will frustrate and injure you.

I did the cylinder head on the SD over the course of 5 months. It's an 8 hour job for a skilled mechanic. I had issues with a very poor rebuilder and had to switch and ship the unit to CA. All in the learning process.........

Adam could provide you with every little tidbit that you need.

You could drive it for 30 miles in first, but, it would take you two hours and traffic probably wouldn't let you continue at 15 mph for the entire trip. Such a decision might not be a wise one.

Consider borrowing a pickup truck and towing it 30 miles. If the engine runs and can provide vacuum for the brakes, this is far safer than driving it in first gear.

For what it's worth, here's my experience with Sun Valley: I was given a 1980 300 TD with 390 k miles and a failing rebuilt tranny (I don't know where the rebuilt was from.) I got a rebuilt from Sun Valley for $1050 plus $125 shipping, and my 17 year-old son and I installed it using a rented jack ($30.000). This was one year ago; it's running perfectly - several thousand miles. Steve

Actually, I feel great about SunValley's reputation, less so about "his" guy. He feels pretty good about "his" guy but has never used Sun Valley, so he can't/ won't say.

Mechanic and I have talked about doing one or the other. He's up for either, but he feels better about using his guy.

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'82 240D, 215,000 +
Classic White, Regenbogen

The Pro's of using Vanderveer.

Excellent mechanic.

Will stand behind his work.

Will deliver a smooth shifting tranny, modulated, adjusted and back up to spec.

Con's

Cost. period.
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I'm not sure I'm equipped to deal with seized bolts, etc. The grief alone should have a dollar figure attached to it. And when I'm done and I still flair miserably, I think I'd regret the DIY.

Am I coming across sufficiently pessimistic about my wrenching skills here?

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'82 240D, 215,000 +
Classic White, Regenbogen

Of course he feels better about his guy. These folks get accustomed to a given rebuilder or shop and that's who they stay with. But, remember, all he needs to do is to make it for 6 months. Then he, and his guy, are off the hook.

He knows nothing about Sun Valley. I'd be surprised if he would warrant the labor on a Sun Valley unit.

We're more interested in what the rebuild will do in five years and 75K miles. That's the real question. The answer is more difficult to obtain.

The grief does have a dollar figure for most folks. If you don't have the mental attitude to deal with seized bolts, inevitable difficulties with questions, wrong parts, etc., then doing this work is not for you.

With a pessimistic attitude, the task is insurmountable.

Suprisingly enough, he will guarantee his labor on the Sun Valley.

With Sun's track record, what's your opinion on the 75K mark?

I need some stats here.

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'82 240D, 215,000 +
Classic White, Regenbogen

Well, that's sure interesting.

I don't have any data, personally, on Sun Valley at that mileage level. Maybe some others will chime in regarding long term durability.